Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – April 14, 1993

We stayed in Saadabad last night. It was unfamiliar; I slept badly. Early in the morning, we went to the airport [Mehrabad] with Efat and his sister Fatima and his wife Amirza Ahmed. We flew half an hour late. They said that the plane had a gas leak, so we were delayed to fix it. Several ministers and deputies were also there. We flew to Kerman. Breakfast was served on the plane.

We arrived at Kerman airport at nine o'clock in the morning. The official welcome ceremony was held at the airport. We moved towards the city. About ten kilometers from the airport to the stadium where the lecture was held, there was a tight line of cheerful and smiling people who welcomed them with love. He was very passionate and unique.

We went directly to the covered hall of the stadium in the company of the families of the martyrs. After the welcome and the performance of the anthem, I gave a speech amid the warm feelings of the audience. Then we went to the gathering of people, which was very magnificent. Imam Juma gave a warm welcome and I gave a speech and honored the unprecedented presence of the people on the stage and thanked the people.

Then I met the clergy of the province in the governor's hall. Imam Juma spoke and I also spoke for them; I told about the duties of the clergy and asked them to think of a government and society, not isolated and individual and marginal which was imposed on the clergy in the history of Islam. We had lunch with them and went to the residence for a short rest.

Then we moved to the Kerman rubber factory. We passed through the de-desert area in the southeast of Kerman, which was formed before the revolution and the arch bushes have grown and saved the city from the influx of quicksand.

In the rubber factory, [Mr. Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh], the Minister of Industries and also the CEO explained. This factory was opened with about thirty thousand tons of tire, tube and rubber compound production capacity with advanced machines. We visited There were also family and companions.

From there, we went to the camp of Koirzadayi Jihadsonggi; We visited and opened and gave the pasture documents to the ranchers. In my speech, I talked about the benefits of Queerzada. Mr. [Gholamreza] Faruzesh, [Minister of Jihad Construction] also gave a good report.

From there, we went to the exhibition of the achievements of the Islamic Revolution in Kerman province. About 300 booths in 18 large sheds and the exhibition hall of agriculture, mining, fisheries, livestock, light and heavy industries, cultural and jihadi affairs, handicrafts and many other things were displayed. It was clean and glorious and showed the face of the province. The visit lasted about five hours. Finally, a very good singer sang a hymn and a poem that they had written in praise of construction; I encouraged them.

We came to the governorate at 11:30 PM to participate in the administrative council meeting. It was very late and we were tired. We passed the meeting briefly. We ate dinner and slept.